Squad for remaining Two Tests announced; Pandya misses out

The BCCI has released injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya from the squad for the final two Test matches against Australia, to be held in Ranchi and Dharamsala naming a 15-man team. Murali Vijay, who missed the second Test due to a shoulder injury suffered in Pune, has retained his place in the squad.

Pandya was originally named in the squad for the first two Tests, but was not available for selection for the second Test, after picking up a shoulder niggle during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The all-rounder's shoulder will be a cause for concern for him having injured it while training at the PCA Stadium in Mohali during the England Tests as well.

Opener Vijay has been retained in the side despite missing out playing his 50th Test of his career in Bengaluru. He had picked up an injury to his left shoulder while fielding in Pune, but with a week left for the next Test, he has had sufficient time to recover. Vijay had undergone a fitness drill at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore on Thursday morning and was deemed to have recovered enough to be available for selection for the third Test.

Pacer Mohammed Shami, who represented India against England in Mohali last November, has also been kept out of the team despite making his return to the competitive cricket for Bengal in the last league game of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The remaining two Tests of the series will be played at two new venues - Ranchi and Dharamsala.